Phil Ivey has been referred to as the greatest poker contender on the planet by many of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to New Jersey before his first birthday. His grandfather taught him one cent-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was hooked on poker and wanted to learn anything he possibly could about the game. He routinely told his elders that he was going to be a professional poker player. Phil did not allow the detrimental feedback from others destroy his ambition of becoming one of the greatest poker competitors on the planet.
Phil began playing intently after getting a fake ID with the name of Jerome. He honed his abilities at the casinos of Atlantic City. The first few years for him were a learning experience and coming away with a win was not a regular outcome at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and came away with his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a two dollar, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha game. At the last table he defeated quite a few of the better known professionals including but not limited to "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his game to the successive level and moved out west to Las Vegas. He continues to compete in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players on the planet. Phil credits his achievements to discipline and an immeasurable passion for the game of poker. He says that he’s learning every single day and is incredibly humble about his success. He admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and always aspires to get better.
Despite the fact that Phil has come first in some large tournaments, he favors winning money games on a normal basis.
